Ah, it’s that time of year again: New Year, new me. But instead of trying to find yourself in new fitness goals (guilty!), why not plan a trip to an under-the-radar destination to start your 2018 off right!
Although I am a sucker for the big tourist destinations, it’s nice to get off the well-beaten path. After all, these are the places are rich in culture and lacking in massive tourist crowds! I reached out to top travel bloggers to ask what under-the-radar destinations they’d recommend visiting in 2018, and here they are!
During his explorations, which were partially underwritten by Marriott International, he found that obscure destinations were the most memorable, and he shared many on his Instagram feed, @sallavallo. He recalls some favorites with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY. But before booking a trip, check U.S. State Department warnings because some destinations are near trouble spots.
Baku, Azerbaijan
This oil-rich capital city has invested billions in culture and modern architecture, making for a surprising stop in the Caucasus. “Walking around in the city is like an open-air museum.
Pemba, Tanzania
While Tanzania is synonymous with Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti National Park, few head to this magnificent country for its beaches.Pemba is a relatively unheard of island off the coast of Zanzibar.That’s Pemba in a nutshell. Known for its spectacular and pristine dive sites, this hidden gem is frequented by all those bitten by the scuba bug.
Kigali, Rwanda
The country makes it easy to visit national parks to see gorillas in the wild and, on a more somber note, to learn about the 1994 genocide at memorial sites
Pantanal, Brazil
When you think of Brazil, you think beaches, caipirinhas and the wildlife of the Amazon. As the largest country in Latin America, its sheer biodiversity will blow your mind.They’re 10 times larger than Florida’s Everglades.Half of the year they are submerged in water, but when they disappear, the most beautiful savannah and jungle emerge.
Asmara, Eritrea
While you must visit with a tour group and the State Department cautions against travel in other parts of the country, Lavallo says it’s worth seeking out this city, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. The former Italian colony offers an intriguing mix of European and African influences. “It feels like Italy did in the ‘50s and ‘60s. There are cafes on every little street, and Italian food everywhere
Botswana
Botswana is one of these countries people don’t know much about. But it’s an amazing country to travel and has so much to discover.There’s the Okavango Delta, Moremi, Chobe National park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier park, Makgadikgadi Pan.
